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Emergency Services District 2 adopts larger FY2026 budget to add stations, ambulances and personnel
Summary
ESD No. 2's board approved a FY2026 budget of $22.5 million (presented to the county at commissioners court) that funds additional full‑time firefighters, new fire trucks, capital projects including a new Socorro station and a plan to activate an ESD ambulance; county approved the budget.
Emergency Services District No. 2 presented a $22.5 million FY2026 budget to the commissioners court on Aug. 18 and the court approved the district's board‑adopted budget and tax rate.
Chiefs and district administrators told the court the budget represents a nearly 59% increase over the prior year driven primarily by capital projects (including a new Socorro station), the purchase of two fire trucks, and planned personnel increases. The district said it plans to add six paid full‑time firefighters and two lieutenants, add night shifts at several stations, and activate the ESD's first ambulance to address long ambulance response times in certain areas.
District administrator Mariana Navarrete briefed the court that the board adopted a tax rate of $0.087138 per $100 of assessed value (INS 0.029651, M&O 0.057487). The district expects property tax collections of about $6.7 million and sales tax revenue of $5 million. The district said its debt service increased due to a new loan for the Socorro station and the purchase of fire trucks; overall capital spending rose substantially compared with the prior year because of station construction and truck purchases.
Commissioners questioned response times, the impact of industry growth in the district and equipment replacement costs. Chief said fire truck prices have risen substantially; recent trucks cost about $1.4 million for two trucks (without equipment), and replacing an older truck could exceed $1 million.
After discussion, the court approved the district's budget and tax rate. Commissioners emphasized the need to plan for infrastructure needs and water/hydrant reliability as jurisdictional growth continues.
Why it matters: ESD2 covers many fast‑growing areas south and west of central El Paso. The budget funds personnel and capital investments intended to expand 24/7 coverage in the Lower Valley and to activate the district's first ambulance to reduce long ambulance response times.
